New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Celebration and pride mixed with defiance in New York City on Sunday as throngs of people crowded the streets, rainbow flags waving, for the annual gay pride march.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King was one of the grand marshals, along with transgender advocate Tyler Ford and civil rights organization Lambda Legal. The event, and others like it around the country, commemorated the riots that erupted in response to a police raid at a New York gay bar called the Stonewall Inn in June 1969.

Onlookers and participants in New York noted those origins at Sunday’s event, which was both a celebration of the diversity of LGBT culture and a statement against anti-LGBT policies promoted by President Donald Trump, such as the Republican president’s attempt to ban all transgender people from serving in the military. They also spoke out against policies aimed at other communities, like immigrants and minorities. (AP)

Participants carry an LGBTQ flag along Fifth Avenue during the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in New York. (Photo: Andres Kudacki/AP)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

A reveler performs as a float moves along Fifth Avenue during the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in New York. (Photo: Andres Kudacki/AP)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Billie Jean King serves as grand marshal of the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

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New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Revelers march during the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in New York. (Photo: Andres Kudacki/AP)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

A reveler marches during the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in New York. (Photo: Andres Kudacki/AP)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

A reveler attends the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Revelers standing on Seventh Avenue watch the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Two young revelers wrap themselves in a pride flag during the New York City Gay Pride Parade on June 24, 2018. (Photo: Kayla Somen)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Cynthia Nixon, center right, marches holding hand with her partner during the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in New York. (Photo: Andres Kudacki/AP)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

A reveler shows off his hat mirroring President Trump’s campaign slogan Make America Great Again at the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

A giant pride flag is displayed by marchers outside the Stonewall Inn during the 49th annual New York City Gay Pride Parade, June 24, 2018. (Photo: Alba Vigaray/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Revelers standing on Seventh Avenue watch the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Marcelo Abramovich marches along Fifth Avenue during the 2018 New York City Pride Parade in Manhattan, New York, June 24, 2018. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

People take part in the annual 2018 New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 as they make their way down 7th Avenue in New York. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

A reveler rides a motorcycle in the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

People take part in the annual 2018 New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 as they make their way down 7th Avenue in New York. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Member of the NYFD kiss each other after a propose to get married while they attend the annual gay parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Revelers standing on Seventh Avenue watch the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

A reveler attends the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Revelers watch the annual Pride Parade from windows on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

People take part in the annual 2018 New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 as they make their way down 7th Avenue in New York. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

An NYPD officer stands watch on Seventh Avenue during the annual Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Participants make their way down 7th Avenue during the annual 2018 New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 as they make their way down 7th Avenue in New York. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

People take part in the annual 2018 New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 as they make their way down 7th Avenue in New York. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

People take part in the annual 2018 New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 as they make their way down 7th Avenue in New York. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

New Yorkers celebrate gay pride with annual parade

People take part in the annual 2018 New York City Pride Parade on June 24, 2018 as they make their way down 7th Avenue in New York. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)